Chartered Society of Designers seeks charter change to set up register

Earlier this year CSD chief executive Frank Peters told Design Week he had filed an application to the Privy Council to approve a system of professional certification for designers, although it is understood that the application was later delayed to allow for further consultation.

Peters says that at last year’s AGM the CSD approved amendments to its by-laws, allowing it to set up this register. The planned change to the CSD’s royal charter, which will be voted on at the next AGM on 15 December, would make way for these powers to be enacted.

Peters says, ’The bylaws which have already been approved by the membership are already with the Privy Council. Should the membership approve the amendments to the royal charter, these will also be submitted to the Privy Council for approval.’

He adds, ’These two instruments of governance being conjoined, will enable the society to set up and maintain such a register subject to approval from the Privy Council.’

The Privy Council was unavailable for comment.

A statement from the CSD says, ‘We first had the idea of establishing a register of chartered designers back in 2001. Now, after a decade of research, consultation and sheer hard work, we’re in the final stages of the process.’

The statement adds, ‘We’ll put it to the vote… All this comes after a year of intense discussion and comment in the sector and among our membership. This has helped crystallise the arguments for a register and make sure we get our members’ views before taking this any further.’